Simple and effective guidelines on how to take care of polychrome sculptures
- polychrome sculptures should be handled very carefully, especially large and heavy statues.
- it is important to minimise the necessity of touching the statue and wear clean cotton gloves when handling is required.
- statues should also be inspected on a regular basis for early signs of deterioration and damage - such as paint cracks, flaking paint, insect infestation and mould.
- dust should be removed by using a small, soft brush (such as the soft bristle brushes used for water colour painting). low-powered vacuum cleaners can also be considered while brushing dust to avoid dispersing it on other areas.
- never use water for cleaning purposes. a damp cloth, for example, can dissolve the statue's paint, damage gilded areas and possibly cause the statue's constituent materials to crack and corrode.
- similarly, commercial cleaning products should not be used because they can damage the paint.
- polychrome sculptures can be better protected from dust, abrasions and vandalism if they are locked in a showcase or in a niche, covered in glass.
- avoid exposing statues to direct sunlight, particularly when enclosed in a niece or showcase.
- do not illuminate statues with intense (or direct) artificial light.
- never place sources of artificial light inside niches or showcases. always place light sources as far away as possible from such enclosures and avoid directing light towards the statue.
- in addition, statues should also be kept away from sources of humidity - such as walls and the ground.
click here to contact a conservator for further information and free advice.
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